HOLIDAY EVENTS IN METRO
Your guide to Christmas fun.
Pick of the Season: Hansel and Gretel: An East Van Panto Until Jan. 3 | York Theatre
This year’s edition of the annual East Van Panto series features a new take on the Hansel and Gretel tale. Panto favourites Veda Hille, Charles Demers and Dawn Petten return for another music-and-comedy romp. For ages 5 and up.
Info: thecultch.com
Dec. 3
Yule Duel | Gastown Vancouver’s first carolling competition has over 20 choirs competing to raise money for May’s Place, a DTES hospice. At Water Street between Carrall and Cambie, from 6 p.m.
Info: yuleduel.com
Dec. 4
Nightmare Before the Nutcracker:
A Very Burton Xmas Show | Rio Theatre Burlesque, circus and characters from the Nutcracker and Tim Burton movies (Beetlejuice, Mars Attacks! etc.) mix it up. Also Dec. 5, 11 and 12. For ages 19 and above.
Info: riotheatre.ca
Dec. 5
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre Magnificent men’s choir Chor Leoni presents two performances (3 and 8 p.m.) dramatizing the 1914 Christmas Truce on the Western Front.
Info: chorleoni.org
Dec. 6
Christmas with the Bach Choir | Orpheum
Theatre This afternoon (2 p.m.) concert will feature more than 400 singers from the Bach Choir family, including some only five years old.
Info: vancouverbachchoir.com
Dec. 7
A Christmas Carol: On the Air | Pacific Theatre Do a good turn for homeless youth while attending this live radio show-style version of the Dickens story — the theatre is accepting donations of warm clothing for Covenant House (greatest needs include underwear, men’s shoes size 10-13 or larger and men’s jeans.). The show runs Dec. 4 to Jan. 2.
Info: pacifictheatre.org
Dec. 8
Ebenezer: A Christmas Ghost Story | Jericho Arts Centre This Seven Tyrants’ production features an original score and reimagined version of Dickens’ holiday classic. It runs until Jan. 2.
Info: jerichoartscentre.com
Dec. 9
It’s a Wonderful Life | Granville Island Stage A re-mount of the Arts Club’s version of the 1944 Frank Capra movie. It runs until Dec. 26, tickets from $26. Info: artsclub.com
Dec. 10
Bah! Humbug | Goldcorp Centre for the Arts Jim Byrnes as Scrooge with Margo Kane, Sam Bob, Stephen Lytton and more in this DTES-set version of A Christmas Carol, now a six-year-old Woodward’s tradition. Until Dec. 19.
Info: sfu.ca
Dec. 11
A Very Merry Fringemas | Studio 1398
(Granville Island) Favourite Fringe performers pull out all the stops with holidaythemed sketches, songs and magic. There’s even a photo opportunity with Father Fringemas. Ages 19 plus.
Info: vancouverfringe.com
Dec. 12
A Christmas Story, The Musical | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage A Canadian premiere billed as a musical misadventure, based on the movie about a kid who wants a BB gun for Christmas. Until Dec. 27.
Info: artsclub.com
Dec. 13
Celebrate!: A Good Noise Christmas with David Sinclair | Fraserview MB Church, Richmond Now in its 13th year, this 3 p.m. concert features local guitarist Sinclair with the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir.
Info: goodnoisevgc.com
Dec. 14
Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen | Presentation House Theatre, North Vancouver A holiday musical for and about families. With elves and a chance for audience members to get up on stage. From Dec 2. to Dec. 20.
Info: phtheatre.org
Dec. 15
War for the Holidays |
Roedde House Museum Forbidden Vancouver, known for its walking tours, presents this original play set during a family Christmas party 100 years ago. With two shows a night the 20 audience members per show get plum pudding, too, and over 19s get a featured cocktail. From Dec. 12 to 19.
Info: forbiddenvancouver.ca
Dec. 16
Pyjama Party with the East Van Choir Collective | Rickshaw Theatre Local choirs come together to raise funds for Vancouver Women’s Health Collective. Concertgoers are encouraged to wear their PJs. Ages 19 plus, $15.
Info: rickshawtheatre.com
Dec. 17
The Nutcracker | The Centre in Vancouver The Goh Ballet performs the magical The Nutcracker with live music from members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Until Dec. 22.
Info: gohnutcracker.com
Dec. 18
Van Django with Cool Yule | St. James Hall Swing-jazz quartet presents their annual show with special guests. Also Dec. 19 at Mount Seymour United Church in North Van.
Info: roguefolk.bc.ca
Dec. 19
Love Musically | Studio 1398 Off Key Improv premieres a musical tribute to the 2003 holiday movie Love Actually, where everything really is improvised. Mulled wine and winter ale for sale. Adult themes. Runs from Dec. 16 to Dec. 20.
Info: offkeyimprov.com
Dec. 20
Blues for Christmas | Commodore Ballroom Jim Byrnes, David Gogo and more from the Vancouver’s blues community perform at the 30th anniversary edition of this annual concert. All proceeds go to the Drew Burns Commodore Musicians Fund.
Info: bluesforchristmas.com
Dec. 21
Christmas at FlyOver Canada | Canada Place Help Santa Claus search for his missing elves in this winter edition of the popular attraction. With a festive outdoor deck to enjoy holiday music, Christmas lights, hot drinks and seasonal snacks. Until Jan. 5.
Info: flyovercanada.com
Dec. 22
Spike & Mike’s Sick & Twisted Christmas Show | Rio Theatre Animated shorts celebrate the holidays in ways both sick and twisted.
Most definitely ages 19 plus.
Info: riotheatre.ca
Dec. 23
An ABBA Christmas | Federico’s Supper Club. ABRA Cadabra — The Music & Magic of ABBA performs hits by the Swedish supergroup as well as seasonal favourites. Ticket prices ($58, $68) include a three or four course dinner. Also Dec. 22.
Info: federicossupperclub.com
Dec. 24
Who are you trying to kid? You don’t have time for anything except last-minute Christmas shopping.